The Office of Inclusive Excellence Education & Development (OIEED) manages the bias response process at Elon and focuses on supporting impacted individuals and educational engagement for those causing harm. OIEED is separate from the Office of Student Conduct, Title IX, Human Resources, and Academic Affairs processes, thus is not able to take disciplinary actions against those who enact bias, harassment, or violence.

Steps in the Bias Response Process

Step 1: Bias incident report is submitted

Step 2: Report is reviewed

  • The Office of Inclusive Excellence Education and Development (OIEED) leads the review process to determine the nature of the bias-related incident and potential immediate referral. More information about this process can be found on the Bias Response Decision Tree.
  • The OIEED contacts the reporting party (unless reported anonymously).

Step 3: Action planning

  • In collaboration with reporting or harmed parties, an action plan is developed including supportive measures and accountability strategies. View potential response examples below.

Step 4: Plan implementation

The response plan is implemented, focused on education, support and harm reduction or referrals to the appropriate campus partner(s).

Step 5: Outcome Follow-up

Assess the response outcome to provide appropriate supportive measures and education for harm reduction.

Online Reporting Notification

Once your online Bias Incident Reporting Form is submitted, you will be sent an email notification stating you will get a response within 72 business hours (Mon-Fri). The report is then reviewed by the Office of Inclusive Excellence Education & Development (OIEED) staff to determine potential immediate referral and engagement with campus partners (including but are not limited to Student Conduct, Human Resources Compliance, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, Campus Safety & Police, Identity and Global Engagement Offices, Student Life, Academic Deans or Department Chairs, etc.)

Potential Response Examples

In collaboration with the impacted parties and campus partners, an action plan is created including supportive measures for affected parties and accountability strategies.

We take into consideration of the desired outcomes of harmed parties and university policies. The goal for our bias response process is to promote equities and reduce social disparities using these community processes:

Harm transformation: systems change(s) that involve the understanding of the perspective of the harmed parties, but does not always involve the person(s) harming and/ or the person(s) harmed.

Restorative practices: processes that involve harmed and harming parties aimed at repairing, healing, and creating healthier relationships, communities, and systems

Throughout our process our work may result in one or more of the following responses:

  • referrals to Student Conduct, Confidential Advocacy/Support, Human Resources, Campus Safety, or other campus/community resources.
  • Restorative conversations
  • Ongoing anti-bias education/resources

Accountability Measures

The Office of Inclusive Excellence Education & Development is separate from the Office of Student Conduct, Title IX, and Human Resources, thus is not able to take disciplinary actions against those who enact bias, harassment, or violence. The OIEED makes referrals to those offices when incidents violate student or employee misconduct policies. The OIEED is dedicated to providing comprehensive, restorative responses that will appropriately acknowledge the harm that is perpetrated in these instances and equip individuals with the support, resources, skills, and education to begin the healing process and prevent future harm.

Freedom of Speech

Free expression of political and social opinions are protected by the First Amendment, Elon’s Academic Freedom Policy, and Elon’s Commitment to the Values of Freedom of Expression and Inclusivity. For this reason, even controversial expressions of political and social opinions are often unable to be met with disciplinary actions. However, in no way does this mean those statements are not harmful to individuals, identity groups, and to our broader campus community.

Freedom of speech does not mean that speech will go unchallenged or without consequences. If a member of the university community makes statements, uses language, or displays objects that devalue others based on their identity, the OIEED and campus partners will respond by providing support to affected individuals, educational engagement for those perceived as causing harm, and provide options for redress.

Learn more about Information Sharing and Privacy